A screening tool for selection of field odor assessors

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sensory Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Field odor assessors are crucial for community odor perception studies.
• Standardized methods are needed to ensure assessor reliability and representativeness.
• Existing methods may not adequately screen for sensitivity and descriptive accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a screening test for recruiting field odor assessors.
• To ensure recruited assessors can accurately perceive and describe odor characteristics.
• To establish a reliable method for selecting assessors representative of community odor perception.

Main Methods:

• A three-part screening test was developed, including odorant identification, intensity evaluation, and character/hedonic tone description.
• Assessors were graded based on test performance and similarity to the average results of 179 individuals.
• Individuals scoring in the upper 75% were qualified, excluding less sensitive or atypical responders.

Main Results:

• The screening test successfully differentiated assessor capabilities.
• Pass rates varied by demographic group: 73.8% of men, 78.6% of women, 77.4% of urban dwellers, and 67.4% of rural dwellers qualified.
• Older individuals (61-70 years) had lower pass rates (54.6%) compared to younger groups (89.3% for 21-30 years).

Conclusions:

• The developed three-part screening test is effective for selecting qualified field odor assessors.
• The tool ensures assessors' perceptions align with community standards.
• Recommended by the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection for regulatory and community-based odor assessment programs.